Importance of NVC

Functions

The 6 ‘Ics’

NVC = anything but the spoken word.

1. We cannot not communicate

2. NVC = 80 – 90% of our communication

3. Omnipresent

4. Multifunctional - part of all comm. - clarify meaning of verbals, emotional state

5. Universal Language System - smile, cry, point - basic understanding

6. Misunderstanding - make sense of world, or cause problems

7. Phylogenetic Primacy ~ NVC predates languageex. Cavemen ~ cave drawings, grunts. . .

8. Ontogenetic Primacy ~ interaction with your caretaker and the environment (babies)ex. How does a baby signal they need food, or to get out of a poopy diaper?

9. Interaction Primacy ~ 1st form of communication ~ before we speak, we give visual cues. . . Ex. physical appearance, eye contact, smells, colors you wear. . .

10. Express what verbal communication can’t or shouldn’t

ex. Getting your groove on at a dance. . . Look longingly at a hottie, they look at you weird = you don’t have to go over and embarrass yourself

11. NVC is trusted

Why?

1. We cannot not communicate

2. NVC = 80 – 90% of our communication

3. Omnipresent

4. Multifunctional - part of all comm. - clarify meaning of verbals, emotional state

5. Universal Language System - smile, cry, point - basic understanding

6. Misunderstanding - make sense of world, or cause problems

7. Phylogenetic Primacy ~ NVC predates language

8. Ontogenetic Primacy ~ interaction with your caretaker and the environment (babies)

9. Interaction Primacy ~ 1st form of communication ~ before we speak, we give visual cues. . .

10. Express what verbal communication can’t or shouldn’t

11. NVC is trusted

1) Send Uncomfortable Messages

2) Form Impressions which Guide Comm.

3) Make Relationships Clear

4) Regulate Interaction

5) Influence People

6) Reinforce & Modify VC

The ‘ics’ help to categorize the 6 different types of Nonverbal Communication

0

50

100

1s t

Qtr

4th

Qtr

E as t

Wes t

N or th

Gaze: looking at a person

Eye-contact: mutual gaze, where the two look at each other at the same time

Maintaining eye contact signals genuineness and adds credibility

Avoiding it signals shiftiness, nervousness, and not being prepared

Culturally different Very Direct eye contact: Middle

Easterners, Some Latin Americans, French

Moderate eye contact: Americans, Northern European, British

Minimal eye contact: East Asians, Southeast Asians, East Indians, Native Americans

The use of touch as communication

ex. A hug, kiss, clutching hands, a slap, shove

Contact: Arabs: Iraq, Kuwait,

Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Republic

Latin Americans: Bolivia, Cuba, Equator, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela;

Southern Europeans: French, Italian, Turkish

Non Contact: Asian: China,

Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Thailand; Indians and Pakistanis

Northern Europeans: Australia, England, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland;

Americans

How humans perceive, structure, and use time as communication

Ex. Standing at the door when there are 5 minutes left in class.

Vocal auditory behavior∆ Not the actual words

ex. Rate, pitch, volume, enunciation. . .

Volume ~ loudness of voice Pitch ~ placement of voice on a scale

(high low) Rate ~ speed Pauses ~ brief silence or spacing of

words/sound Articulation ~ precision and clarity Enunciation ~ precision and

distinctness in sounding words Rhythm ~ sense of mvmt or pacing

Body Movement

Excludes physical contact with another's body

Watching people's actions can bring you a lot closer to the truth than merely listening to what they say (which might be a cover-up)

“Science" of kinesthetics, or "body language"

Can be very revealing Outward expressions of inner feelings

Openness: Open hands, unbuttoned coat.

Defensiveness: Arms crossed, sideways glance, touching-rubbing nose, rubbing eyes, buttoned coat, drawing away.

Insecurity: Pinching flesh, chewing pen, thumb over thumb, biting fingernail.

Cooperation: Upper body in sprinter's position, open hands, sitting on edge of chair, hand to face gestures, unbuttoning coat.

Americans, forming a circle with thumb and forefinger to signal O.K.

Culturally means: "zero" or worthless in France Money in Japan Calling someone a very bad name in Germany

For Americans, up and down means yes, side to side means no

In Bulgaria, the nods are reversed in meaning.

How people use space to communicate.

A message system used with a minimal level of awareness

People may present themselves in various ways: face-to-face side-to-side back-to-back

Cooperating people are likely to sit side-by-side

Competitors frequently face one another

Competition

Cooperation

Conversation

Proxemics is the 6th ‘ic’ that we will look at in a little more depth than the rest of the ‘ics’

Convey Attitude: Hostile vs FriendlyPhysical Contact: Shaking hands, touching, holding,

embracing, pushing, or patting Reflect an element of intimacy or

inclusiveness

The distance conveys a non-verbal message.

Culturally:In some cultures it is a sign of attraction,

In others it may reflect status or the intensity of the exchange

1) Territoriality

2) Personal Space / Zones

Claiming the rights to an areaOriginated from observations in the animal

kingdom

• Survival

• Females gravitate towards males with best territory

Humans communicate through proxemics as well• At Home

*fences, shrubbery, flowers,*kitchen, “Dad’s chair”

• In Public*purse/coat placement*reservations / tickets to a game

• Male / Female interactions*toys, bling-bling, cars, cologne,

perfume. . .

An invisible, portable, adjustable bubble surrounding an individual.

Actively maintained to protect the person from physical or emotional threats

BODY BUFFER ZONE (on the test)

The Zones of space which surround us

4 zones that are important in proxemic communication

1) Intimate Space

2) Communal Space

3) Socioconsultative Zone

4) Public Zone

From physical contact to 18 inches

0 - 18

Usually for close relationships

Various meanings

*Something is wrong

*Intensity

*Violation of space (personal bubble)

Distance from 18 inches to 4 feet

18 - 4

Interpersonal communication most common at this distance

Usually friends, or acquaintances

*an established relationship

Spans a distance from 4 feet to 10 feet

4 - 10

Utilized in professional settings

*Teacher / Student

*Lawyer / Client / Jury

Begins at 10 feet and extents to where one can still be seen and heard

10 - ?

This type of communication tends to be formal

*Public speaking

*Rallies

*Malls

10 Entry Observation Diary-Between now and the due date, observe 10

instances of human interaction or nonverbal communication.

-Make note of environment, physical appearance, personal behavior, and interaction with others. WRITE THESE THINGS DOWN.

- The completed diary is due IN CLASS on Wednesday, January 15th.